More than 200 people from the mobile industry gathered at The Venue Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, for the fourth annual Mobile Web Africa conference today.
The event, organised by UK-based All Amber, a leading company specialising in organising interactive, discussion-based events specifically aimed at high level strategists, has been deemed a huge success with involvement from all the major stakeholders in what was a very interactive and output-rich first day.
Gustav Praekelt, Founder of Praekelt Foundation, delivered a critical analysis of the mobile web and apps opportunity in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mr Praekelt’s standpoint that “universal access to information at a zero-cost basis is a basic human right” was supported by examples of the Praekelt Foundation’s recent partnerships with Wikipedia and Vodacom.
Gift Mphefu, Portfolio Manager at Vodacom, shared details of the leading mobile network operator’s strategic vision and future plans.
Mphefu’s presentation was followed by significant addresses from Prezence Digital, Afrinnovator, the Indigo Trust, and a host of other local and international speakers in a day that revealed a huge amount of information in relation to the potential that exists in the development of the mobile technology sphere and the routes that can be followed to further stimulate growth.
Matthew Dawes, event Chief Executive, said: “For a fourth successive year the event has delivered, and the major reason behind that is the subject area. Stimulating access, products and services on mobile devices opens up a plethora of opportunities across society – it’s vital. That is what this event has been about since 2009.”
The second day also promises to be extremely rewarding, with presentations from key industry players including 2go, MXit, biNu and Yookos.
By the close of the conference, attendees will have had the opportunity to gain and exchange knowledge surrounding maximising the mobile web and apps opportunity on handheld devices in Africa from the experts who are leading the development.
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Full event details can be found online at www.mobilewebafrica.com.
